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| Movie Review: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days Alternate Title: Acts of Conscience
Story: What would you be willing
to do for a idea? Would you risk your life for a principle? This fine,
though at times tedious film, by German film maker Marc Rothemund
from a screenplay by Fred Breinersdorfer depicts in
a quasi-documentary style format six days in February of 1943. The White
Rose Society was an underground resistance movement inside
Germany during the latter days of WW11.. The society's peaceful acts
of conscience demonstrated itself through leaflets and wall slogans. Three youths are arrested for distributing leaflets
and undergo several days of interrogation by the SS, a kangaroo trial
and ultimately execution.The film is mostly about the young Sophie Scholl
who is a national hero in Germany. Director Rothemmund wanted to reintroduce
this historic figure to a new generation of Germans. The story is not melodramatic or emotional which gives it its power.
If you want to see one of this year's five Oscar foreign language nominated
films check out Sophie Scholl. It has already won three Lolas and two
Silver Bears in Berlin. For more information and photo about The
White Rose Society go to: http://www.jlrweb.com/whiterose/
and http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/rose.html
Acting: Julia Jentsch as Sophie
is terrific. She was believable, idealistic and powerful. The rest of
the cast is fine with great performances up and down the ladder.
Predilection: I try to see all of the Oscar nominated
films.
Soundtrack: I did not notice any soundtrack but I
am sure there was music.
Opening Titles: Credits at the end. If you do see
this film stay for the credits as you can see photos of the real characters.
Theater Audience: A packed house of other cinephiles
who need to see all of the nominated films.
Squirm Scale: Nazis make me squirm.
Drift Factor: I found myself looking at my watch too
often.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I did shed a few tears at the end.
Oscar Worthy: Apparently so since it is nominated.
Soap Box: It was impossible to sit and watch this
film without thinking of today's political climate. Questions about
morality, conscience and politics were easy to juxtapose to today's
headlines. Is our society coming to the point where our civil liberties
are breached and could this type of thing happen here? Prisoners are
detained and have no right to counsel or charges filed as I write. Scary
stuff, eh?
Nit Picking: It was ponderously slow at times.
Big Screen or Rental: Chances of you finding this
on the big screen are slim.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
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